Potential of Using Recycled Low-Density Polyethylene in Wood Composites Board

The aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of using recycled low density polyethylene (RLDPE) in wood board manufacturing. The composite board was produced by compressive moulding by increasing the percentage LDPE from 30 to 50wt% with interval of 10wt% at a temperatures of 140 and 180oC, pressure of 30-40 Kg/cm2 and pressing time 7-13minutes. The microstructure and mechanical properties: modulus of rupture (MOR), modulus of elasticity (MOE), Tensile strength, impact strength properties of boards were determined. The results showed that high modulus of rupture of 20.31N/mm2and MOE of 1363N/mm2 were obtained from board produced at 140oC, 60/40wt% wood particles/LDPE content. The uniform distribution of the particles and the recycled LDPE in the microstructure of the composites board is the major factor responsible for the improvement in the mechanical properties. The results showed that the MOE, MOR meets the minimum requirements of the European standards, for general purpose. The boards produced had tensile strength that is within the requirement. Hence this LDPE can be used in board production for general purpose applications

Hazards Assessment Analyses of Fossil-fuel Generators: Holistic-study of Human Experiences and Perceptions in South-Southern Nigeria

Users of fossil-fuel generators for electricity-supply to households/buildings/premises/apartments in Port-Harcourt, Uyo & Calabar metropolitan-cities [and environs] of Nigeria, with their Neighbours were repeatedly engaged for three (3) consecutive years, to determine their subjective-perceptions and experiences of the associated environmental, health, psycho-social, financial, security and safety hazards/issues etc. Field surveys/investigations were conducted on the study-area, which was segmented into three-hundred (300) settlement-clusters; then, tailor-suited questionnaires were administered to generator-users and their neighbours [as "˜respondents']. After analyzing the data, research-findings revealed that: There is an overwhelming dependence on, and a prevalent/predominant use [80.1% of all 68,400 households/buildings/premises/apartments surveyed in 3 years] of fossil-fuel generators in these cities and environs. Some generator-users are fully-aware and "˜strongly-agree' that, there are related: Environmental-hazards [air-pollution (50.9%) and noise-pollution (48.8%) etc.]; Health-hazards [sleep-disturbance (84.6%), hearing-loss (67.1%), ophthalmic-problems (45.0%) & difficulty in mental-concentration (88.8%) etc.]; Psycho-social issues [quarrels/verbal confrontations (89.4.0%), reports to local-authority(ies)/mediation (6.4%), revenge-attempts (2.6%), forced-relocations (1.3%), arrests (0.2%) & litigation (0.1%) etc.]; Financial-implications [purchase-costs ranging from US$90.91 - ≥US$60,606.06 etc.]; Security concerns/challenges [the 5,500 reported cases of gunshot-violence i.e. 41.8% of all 13,158 generator-related crimes committed etc.]; and Safety-hazards [fire-incidences, fuel-ingestions and deaths accounting for 5.6%, 60.5% and 2.2% resp. of all 8,928 reported-cases of generator-use related accidents]

The Impact of 3D Printing Technology to the Nigerian Manufacturing GDP

3D printing can spur manufacturing rebirth in Nigeria and the World in ge n- eral. There are many areas where 3D printing is creating significant change, particularly in designing and prototyping of new products, in the arts, and in visualizing abstract concepts. This is a step change from conventional man u- facturing processes to rapid prototyping and layer manufacturing. This report has defined rapid prototyping, rapid manufacturing and the current technol o- gies available to fabricate 3D components. In addition to this, it provides a brief overview of the current contributions of the Edo University Iyamho (EUI) in collaboration with the Fe deral University of Petroleum Resources, to sustain manufacturing research initiatives towards the development of locally fabricated 3D printer and the possible future Additive Manufacturing in N i- geria. It is anticipated that this work will benefit the Nig erian academic, r e- search institutes, industries, thus, enhance the GDP contribution of the manufacturing sector in Nigeri